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The End of Hypochondria?
September 24th 2003, 11:16 CEST by Marsh Davies Those unlucky enough to have hereditary susceptibility to illness might find themselves being turned down insurance, in a perturbing Gattaca-style drive towards genetic fingerprinting. Yes, I know I sound like a hysterical tabloid scaremonger, but, as I discovered to my horror, insurance companies can already demand tests for Huntington’s disease, and have every intention of snooping for hereditary dispositions towards other illnesses too. In fact, here is a very enlightening article from the Independent, all about it. But, to be honest, I’m not interested in slapping the insurance companies’ wrists. It was pretty inevitable. What interests me is the social implications it will have on another curious phenomenon of our time – over-eager self-diagnosis. It may be because I’m a reasonably un-allergic, generally healthy chap. It may be because I’m an intolerable cunt. Who knows? But the fact is, I find the sudden increase in new illnesses to be slightly baffling, irritating, and remarkably faddish. I know, I know, some of you pill-popping neurotic post-yuppy self-obsessives really do suffer from crippling ailments that prevent you from eating dairy-products, or root-vegetables, or breathing nitrogen, or enjoying life at all. But you must admit, that especially in the area of poorly-understood psychological welfare, the rise in diagnosable illness seems to be part and parcel in the increasing denial of responsibility. You’re not “rubbish at reading”, you are “dyslexic”; you’re not “a poorly behaved shit”, you’ve got “attention deficit disorder”; you’re not “smothered by over-bearing parents”, you’ve “got M.E”. Please don’t think that I’m saying that the former of these perspectives is the right one. I’m just saying there has been a change in perspective. And suddenly, nothing’s anyone’s fault any more. And suddenly, it’s fashionable to be ill. And suddenly, cooking for people is real fucking pain in the ass, lest an errant particle of peanut accidentally causes guests to have spastic fits and swallow their own tongues. Look at the number of discussions we’ve had on here about the pills we take and what for. The ‘Crap may not be the epicentre of cool, but it certainly mirrors the trendy obsession with self-medication and self-diagnosis, if not a narcissistic desire for drama. But with there now being an incentive to be as healthy as possible or otherwise being exiled into a genetic underclass, will this all change? Instead of sharing post-vicodin margarita chasers with friends, nibbling at a taste-free Atkins approved meal, and saying how wonderful it is you can now buy CFC free bananas because they used be just so terrible for your fragile complexion, will we be wrestling in our own faeces and eating worms just to prove how wonderfully tough our constitutions are? |
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Topic: The End of Hypochondria?
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The ultimate question is "dangerous to whom"? It something is only dangerous to ones self, that that one self should accept full responsibility for the activity, and as such exempt it from regulation. (being that regulation is the distribution of responsiblity) Otherwise you wind up living in a society where "Warning: may cause drowsiness" is affixed to the side of a sleeping pill container. |
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I don't know what angle to take on this thread. I at one time was at the mercy of any hospital that would prescribe me what I needed to make it through anouther few months. Then I got a doctor who told me its all in my head. I didn't like that answer(course insurance came with accually seeing doctors) and found anouther one. He said don't come back til you can have a life changing operation. My current GP is a great guy. He makes me feel guilty so that I will tell him what is going on. He is not allowed to perscribe any "female" oriented perscriptions. I think if he was I would have what I need. I hope my son doesn't have a daughter. Thus the insurance companys can't have fits. In the end I hope I see my son grow up. These days it doesn't look realistic. My 30th birthday is Sunday the 29th. I feel about 50 years old. Age will catch up with you. Sooner if you had fun as a youngin. Rys Zang! Who is that, running over the desert! It is Ryslin, hands clutching a bladed baseball bat! And with a spectacular grunt, her voice cometh:
"I'm going to spank you beyond mortal comprehension, then bake cookies!" |
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#154 Ryslin My current GP is a great guy. He makes me feel guilty so that I will tell him what is going on. He is not allowed to perscribe any "female" oriented perscriptions. I think if he was I would have what I need. Okay...I completely don't get that. Why would a doctor not be allowed to prescribe "female-oriented" prescriptions, whatever that might be? My battlecry: "Zang! Who is that, running on the fields! It is Hellchick, hands clutching buzzsaw hand extensions! She roars mightily: 'I'm going to brutalize you harder than God thought possible!!!'"
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The ultimate question is "dangerous to whom"? It something is only dangerous to ones self, that that one self should accept full responsibility for the activity, and as such exempt it from regulation. Danger to the individual, as well as the danger of becoming a burden on society. If the body modification or plastic surgery or whatever is new and people have no idea what sort of long-term repercussions may arise, well... Better to protect the idiot teenagers from "expressing themselves as individuals, just like everyone else" than to have to pay for their medical bills ten years down the road when that blossoming career as a coffee barrista doesn't cover the cranial-barbell removal process. When you're altering your body for fashion or convenience, you're risking long-term health problems. Every jackass will say "It's my body and I can do what I want with it!" but they're also the same people squalling for medical help they can't afford when they get infections or nerve damage or STDs from the process. And maybe you won't be the one to look for others for help if you end up in that situation, but the Great American Guilt Trip dictates someone will feel obligated to force aid on you, and that someone will have no such compunctions about public fundraisers or internet petitions or two-hour telethons on public access television. Now personally, the long, drawn-out, and inevitably painful death of such a cross-section of society would be little more than a noisy inconvenience if I were running things, not unlike the faint illegible murmur currently produced by PTA boards, soccer moms, and liberals (well, to my ears). But I'm not in charge, so that means such actions can affect me. Even if it's just having to wait in line with perfectly legitimate alcohol poisoning at the ER while they chop off your gangrenous 75% surgical steel genital apparatus of choice, it affects me. So unless you want to go found a commune on AlternaIsland and cut yourselves off from society, such "repressive" input is valid and valued whether the free spirits want it or not. "That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
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Note that the above, slightly tweaked, also applies to fatties, shut-ins, swingers, and a numerous other unnamed groups. "That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
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I think that after we kind of got rid of God, we replaced him with medicine. And in the role of Jesus Christ - celebrities. Also, The Holy Ghost is back, and this time - he's science. Bah, anyway... Children. Getting them, or not getting them. I'm kind of torn on the issue. On one hand, I'm an only child - so if I don't do it, the glorious train-wreck that is my family will end with me. On the other, what if I'm a bad father and our relation is a total meltdown, and I start drinking gasoline and smoking crack, and then the kid ends up in therapy and gets stuck with paying of my debts after I've sucked on granpa's husqvarna shotgun? Then what's the point? I think watching Gilmore Girls has irreparably damaged my views on having kids. At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take |
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I didn't like that answer(course insurance came with accually seeing doctors) and found anouther one. He said don't come back til you can have a life changing operation. My current GP is a great guy. He makes me feel guilty so that I will tell him what is going on. He is not allowed to perscribe any "female" oriented perscriptions. I think if he was I would have what I need. Are you an Internet-enabled Racter? "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me."
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But it's such a nice show. I believe I can fly......urk.
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#148 Squeaky You're getting married at Disneyworld right? I saw the chapel there last time I went. And oh. my. god. what an elaborate set-up they've got. Yessir, we'll be in that very chapel at 2:00pm on Oct. 6th. See? How can I possibly be so insane and mean and romantic all at the same time! IT MUST BE GENIUS ECCENTRICITY! Well that, or just a particularly odd rash....I'd tend to think the latter, in fact. Damned but it itches! I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
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If mario isn't on your cake, then you sir are a LIAR! Good luck. Programmers are the new blue-collar workforce. Bangalore or bust! Viva global economy!
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Children. Getting them, or not getting them. I'm kind of torn on the issue. On one hand, I'm an only child - so if I don't do it, the glorious train-wreck that is my family will end with me. This is one area where I truly feel lucky. My having kids is a completely optional pursuit as it pertains to my family line. My 2 brothers are cranking out the kids so it matters little if I bother with it myself. Respawn Games
Open your mind, let the beatings begin. |
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#161 UncleJeet #148 Squeaky You're getting married at Disneyworld right? I saw the chapel there last time I went. And oh. my. god. what an elaborate set-up they've got. Yessir, we'll be in that very chapel at 2:00pm on Oct. 6th. See? How can I possibly be so insane and mean and romantic all at the same time! IT MUST BE GENIUS ECCENTRICITY! Well that, or just a particularly odd rash....I'd tend to think the latter, in fact. Damned but it itches! Some might find it less genius and more pathetic, but others might not. Respawn Games
Open your mind, let the beatings begin. |
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Karma, baby, karma. Just maybe not spitting on cars from the overpass is the way to go this time, eh? Programmers are the new blue-collar workforce. Bangalore or bust! Viva global economy!
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On the whole people feeling their 20 minute train trip is more important than anything else that can possibly delay me topic. I thought this was an interesting display of just how shockingly impatient and hate filled some Australians are getting. It shames me that they could suggest a few deaths is a justified cost for them to get home on time. |
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A few deaths? I just see the one possible death, and that is the man in the stolen van who wants to kill himself. Kill that fucker and get the traffic moving! Voices tell me I'm the shit.
<Whisp> BJB is a troll. <Whisp> Troll I say! |
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He wants to die and he's making a public spectacle of himself while hindering the lives of countless other people. Put that sniper rifle to your shoulder and do us all a favor, Mr. SharpShooter. Respawn Games
Open your mind, let the beatings begin. |
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Maybe all he wants is some love. "That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
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Love and a .45 |
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You are all a bunch of hating poopy bums! |
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Quicken in #166 said: On the whole people feeling their 20 minute train trip is more important than anything else that can possibly delay me topic. I thought this was an interesting display of just how shockingly impatient and hate filled some Australians are getting. It shames me that they could suggest a few deaths is a justified cost for them to get home on time. That is a mighty slippery slope you got there partner. So I take it you agree with lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour? It would avoid countless deaths due to automobile accidents. |
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#164 Warren Marshall #161 UncleJeet #148 Squeaky You're getting married at Disneyworld right? I saw the chapel there last time I went. And oh. my. god. what an elaborate set-up they've got. Yessir, we'll be in that very chapel at 2:00pm on Oct. 6th. See? How can I possibly be so insane and mean and romantic all at the same time! IT MUST BE GENIUS ECCENTRICITY! Well that, or just a particularly odd rash....I'd tend to think the latter, in fact. Damned but it itches! Some might find it less genius and more pathetic, but others might not. I forgot to mention the wedding happening at the chapel at the time. It is FAR from pathetic. I'd get married there. I have lost my way
But I hear a tale About a heaven in Alberta Where they've got all hell for a basement DVDs |
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#172 G-Man That is a mighty slippery slope you got there partner. So I take it you agree with lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour? It would avoid countless deaths due to automobile accidents Like the comments much earlier in this thread about the unreasonable hostility of train passengers. I think this is a case where drivers could have relaxed and said "Getting home 20 minutes late is fine as long as I don't start dodging bullets". There's a fine like between a safe way things can be done and an unsafe way. 25 mph is one extreme. Asking the police to shoot without thought is another. I prefer something in the middle. There's no need to push for an extreme that assures only one thing: someone will be shot and likely die. Besides which if a shooting starts the area becomes a crime scene and no one gets home any faster! I withdraw my formerly announced love for you G-man you nasty lawyer-type you! |
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The only people that are worse than lawyers are people trying to sell you mastercards in the mall. I'm coming home from work: salesdickfuck: "'Scuse me sir, would you like to sign up for a free mastercard?" me: ... salesdickfuck: "It's completly free." me: ... salesdickfuck (yelling as I'm halfway on the otherside of the mall): "You'll enjoy great benefits!" Or my favorite from a few days ago (same salesdickfuck): sdf: "Would you like to sign up for a free mastercard?" me: "No." sdf: "It's free." me: "Well in that case..." *looking like I'm genuinely interested* *sdf getting excited* me: "Hell no." And I walk off. I have lost my way
But I hear a tale About a heaven in Alberta Where they've got all hell for a basement DVDs |
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It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. |
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#176 G-Man It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. If you keep telling yourself that, it might come true one day. I have lost my way
But I hear a tale About a heaven in Alberta Where they've got all hell for a basement DVDs |
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Ryslin, you are young. 30 is a mere fawnling. Beat to fit, paint to match.
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#173 Squeaky I forgot to mention the wedding happening at the chapel at the time. It is FAR from pathetic. I'd get married there. Kudos to you, Squeakster! I've learned that the green-eyed naysayers will never understand, though. I take the Mickey Mouse insults with pride, giggling at their ignorance. (Still, I think Warren was more reacting to my "genius" comment, while also completely ignoring the self-depricating rash bit, more than the wedding. He's a silly old goose!) I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
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#179 UncleJeet (Still, I think Warren was more reacting to my "genius" comment, while also completely ignoring the self-depricating rash bit, more than the wedding. He's a silly old goose!) Yeah, I realized that as soon as I hit post. I have lost my way
But I hear a tale About a heaven in Alberta Where they've got all hell for a basement DVDs |
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I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour, then I read Phaydde's post. Seriously man, you got issues. I seriously expect to live a full and healthy life and eventually die dribbling in an old folk's home at the ripe old age of 96. As do most people. Incidentally, are you 15 or something? Also: If you have never noticed that there is an unnatural American obsession with death avoidance, look at healthcare spending in the US compard to that of every other nation for the last one hundred years. I'm pretty sure that that has something to do with the fact that a lot of other nations (certainly European) have a social welfare system that negates - to a certain extent - the need for private health insurance. Caryn: There is an obsession with immortality and perpetual youth in this country. That's true of most Western nations and the answer is pretty simple: an awful lot of people have very little to do. Oh sure, most of us work, raise families etc., but most of the hard stuff in life is taken care of, giving us time to worry about trivial shit, like looking younger and getting the most from our 56.6 modem. "You know you are doing art when everyone has an opinion of what you're doing." - Lexx, creator of the supremely stupid Doom for Columbine mod.
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Health is one of the three parts of hapiness money can't buy. AND DON'T ADD A SMILEY AFTER EVERY GODDAMN THING YOU SAY!
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usually i feel 80. Joker, Ph.D. Procedural Assholian Behaviour, Pedophilosopher
- All your ass are belong to my wang Jafd. Prepare to are penetration. "I fart in THX." - Sgt_Hulka PENETRATOR: Rise of the Wang Cuming "When it's done". |
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inches? Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
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that that one self should accept full responsibility for the activity, and as such exempt it from regulation. right, thank god we live in a world where people DON'T try to dry their dog in a microwave, and thank god they DON'T sue the microwave manufacturer for not specifying that putting a dog in a microwave oven is lethal to the dog. and then there's this story about a woman who spilled coffee in her lap and sued mcdonalds for it. Over to you, Warren! Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
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Female medication- My General Doc is not allowed to proscribe any gynocological pills. Got it? He is not certified in that one area. My current insurance prefers random choosing of your obgyn. This assures you spend months trying to find a doctor that you like and understands your needs. However he is a GREAT guy. I gave you the two extremes when seeing obgyns in my condition. Either they think its all in my head and a weeks worth of pills will work(never has yet) or rip it out and start over. Not to be graphic,I FEEL a orgasm in more than my outer clit. Thank you mister DR. for attempting to remove HALF of my sex life. Wile telling me there is no way I would notice a diffrence. I pray for an early menopause. 30 is young. I know that. Two kids and alot of abuse later I know that I am truly closer to 50. Zang! Who is that, running over the desert! It is Ryslin, hands clutching a bladed baseball bat! And with a spectacular grunt, her voice cometh:
"I'm going to spank you beyond mortal comprehension, then bake cookies!" |
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This is.. I don't think the place. i'd let her suck my dick
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shh... caryn and ryslin are talking women stuff, better not intrude in that conversation. Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
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Are you saying I am not the intended audience? i'd let her suck my dick
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Accually I think it was mrbloo who asked why a doctor wouldn't be able to prescribe female oriented meds. My sexual satisfaction I have no problem sharing or unsharing. When they talk about removing your penis and replacing it with a large tube. Then they mention you wont feel a difference when you have sex, We then can have a conversation. Zang! Who is that, running over the desert! It is Ryslin, hands clutching a bladed baseball bat! And with a spectacular grunt, her voice cometh:
"I'm going to spank you beyond mortal comprehension, then bake cookies!" |
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How large of a tube are we talking about here? i'd let her suck my dick
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Wait, wait. Ryslin has a big penis that needs to be replaced with a tube? sunny days have funny ways of quieting the roar
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Weren't you paying attention? She's supposed to be a woman. Sorry Ryslin, I know we shouldn't mock... "You know you are doing art when everyone has an opinion of what you're doing." - Lexx, creator of the supremely stupid Doom for Columbine mod.
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And can it hold other things, like say, coffee? I believe I can fly......urk.
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Not Ryslin. I don't care if she can hold coffee. I'm thinking about this mythical tube penis. I believe I can fly......urk.
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Would you really want hot coffee in your tube penis? sunny days have funny ways of quieting the roar
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yes, because then you could sue mcdonalds. Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
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It'd be worth it if it was a prehensile tube that you could use like an elephant's trunk for picking things up and sucking up water (or coffee) and stuff. Daddy was a bank robber
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#185 Gunp01nt right, thank god we live in a world where people DON'T try to dry their dog in a microwave, and thank god they DON'T sue the microwave manufacturer for not specifying that putting a dog in a microwave oven is lethal to the dog. and then there's this story about a woman who spilled coffee in her lap and sued mcdonalds for it. Over to you, Warren! I'll intercept this in confusion. You cite one urban myth, then seem to imply that the coffee lawsuit is one as well. At least, I think this is what you're doing - if so, you're a wee bit conf00zled. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/micropet.htm <-- Standard Folklore 101 information on the pet in the microwave bit. Bleh. http://www.citizen.org/congress/civjus/tort/myths/articles.cfm?ID=785 <-- Mcdonald's case. Not quite as frivolous as has been made out over the years, but actual and factual - everything is satisfactual! People crying URBAN MYTH has become extremely popular over the last few years, whereas not too long ago, hardly anybody even knew the term. Did a lot of colleges institute Anthropology classes centered around folklore and make them mandatory or something? Or did people just see the movies, I wonder.... I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
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Dammit, Gabe - I want auto-parsing URL's and I want them NOW! And a beignet as well, if it's not too much trouble. Mmmmmmmm. I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
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jeet: c0nf00zle your 455. btw - I just read the funniest thing regarding the HL2 delay: There's no reason why people can't be pissed at Valve for delaying Half-Life 2. First, this is a free country and we have the right to be pissed if we please. Second, it's not my fault I was so eagerly awaiting the game: it's Valve's fault, because they hyped the game so much. Now that the game has been delayed I am no longer interested because it's most likely to suck. Little things like the apocalyptic extinction of all human life tend to make nuclear war a tad less necessary.
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I hate fans. They either whine or bitch or bitch or whine or whine and bitch or bitch and whine. I'm glad I don't have any. I'm fighting terrorism by playing violent video games!
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